Doctor insights on:
Is It Normal To Still Have Breast Milk After Three Years

1

Yes:
Breastfeeding at least every two to three hours helps to maintain milk production. For most women, eight breastfeeding or pumping sessions every 24 hours keeps their milk production high. Therefore, if you have continued to breastfeed or are still pumping then it is normal to still have breast milk after three years. As soon as you stop breast feeding, your breasts will stop producing milk.
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3

No:
I would definitely see you ob/gyn and have hormone levels checked as 4 years of breast milk production is just not normal. Could be something going on with your pituitary gland and/or other sources of excess prolactin production, and this needs to be investigated.
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7

Galactorrhea:
Breast milk is produced on demand. If you want to keep producing milk, you can do it indefinitely by expressing the milk yourself. However, you might be using birth control pills, which can be associated with breast milk production. So to answer your question, this could be normal.
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9

Need prolactin level:
B"sd that's an interesting circumstance. Are you having regular menses - if you are much less likely to be a significant issue such as pituitary tumor (prolactinoma). Certain activities besides nursing can sustain milk production. Even if prolactin normal, dopamine agonist therapy with bromcriptine, Dostinex (cabergoline) may be effective.glad to discuss in more detail
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12

Thyroid Function:
Your doctor will need to order a thyroid function test and along with the results of a physical and other exams determine if your symptoms stem from thyroid issues or are of some other cause. Good luck!
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13

Probably not:
You should see your doctor. Galactorrhea can be a result of exercise (such as jogging) or activities that cause stimulation of the nipples or it may be due to medications that cause an elevated prolactin level, however there are tumors that can cause galactorrhea. The cause may be harmless, but it would be appropriate to investigate.
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15

No:
I'm not entirely sure what you're asking here, as breast milk will usually go away after you're done breastfeeding. For it to go on 3 years after weaning is a bit unusual, but i'd be glad it did. If the pituitary is normal, then no, unless you're prone to migraines anyways you should be fine.
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16

Galactorrhea:
It is possible that this is completely normal, depending on how long its been since your pregnancy. However, it might not be normal if it doesn't go away. Milk production is a product of tactile breast stimulation. If you or a partner continues to express milk from your breast, you will continue to produce it.
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17

See G.Y.N.doctor:
It is not normal to produce breast milk in your case. Normally breast milk is expected soon after delivery of the baby or after miscarriage. But it should not continue after miscarriage. Discuss with your G.Y.N. doctor or consult endocrinologist to get your harm one checked.
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20

Can be normal but...:
There are many conditions that can lead to galactorrhea (the term for milk discharge in the absence of pregnancy or breast feeding) Some causes can be as benign as stimulation during sexual activity and others can be serious. You should see your doctor to discuss a workup. see: http://www. Mayoclinic. Org/diseases-conditions/galactorrhea/basics/causes/con-20025628
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21

Yes and no for 2 Qs:
While it isn't it improbable to get drops of milk from the breast, long after you breast fed the infant, I wouldn't rely on this "method" to diagnose pregnancy, for which easy to use home pregnancy kits should be used. If you have doubts after that, you can be checked by your physician for a better assessment. Good luck!
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22

Yes:
It can still happen if the ovaries are left and they produce the hormones that trigger prolactin release from the pituitary that stimulates milk letdown. I would still see my gynecologist for further work up just to make sure it isn't something else causing the problem.
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23

If your 13 year old:
Child has nipple secretions - have this medically evaluated. Possible causes for galactorrhea include but are not limited to use of birth control pills, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotic meds, some sedatives, fennel, anise, fenugreek, some hypertension meds, cocaine, opioids, hypothyroidism, prolactinoma, renal dz, pregnancy, testosterone deficiency in men ; significant breast stimulation.
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25

See a doctor:
Breast pain and discharge could be a sign of an infection or an underlying growth in the breast or a hormonal dysfunction. You will need blood tests to check your thyroid and prolactin level. Make sure you are also not pregnant. You should consider seeing a physician for a full evaluation of the problem.
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There:
There is nothing unhealthy about your breast milk for your 2 yr. Old. I would recommend that you offer it in a cup though, as there is no reason to encourage your toddler to believe he should be treated the same as a newborn. Some regression in behavior is common when a new baby arrives, but it should not be encouraged. Instead shower your 2 yr. Old with praise for being the very important "big brother.".
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27

Talk to MD:
Some disturbances in your hormone levels can cause these problems. A simple blood test by your doctor to check your levels of prolactin, fsh, thyroid hormone and other markers can rapidly help you find the reason for this imbalance. Once these results are done you will be able to embark on a treatment plan.
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28

Not a faucet:
Your breast is not a faucet that you can just turn on and off. Even though the infant is no longer nursing, the love and cuddles from your baby still stimulate hormones that can continue to produce milk. And even when these hormones decrease, it's not an immediate thing - production gradually decreases as your body adjusts to no longer needing to feed the infant.
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29

Depends.:
Normal nipple discharge is clear, milky or green-tinged. If it stains the inside of your bra each day, you have a condition call galactorrhea and may need labs to check thyroid function and prolactin levels. However, breast stimulation may also sustain discharge. Check with your doctor.
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